With the fantasy baseball season fast approaching, Sporting News' Fantasy Source Baseball experts are giving you a sneak peek inside their player rankings for 2013.

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1: Ryan Braun - Milwaukee Brewers

Braun gets the nod as our No. 1-ranked player for 2013 based on his history of consistently elite production. We're not backing off the Brewers basher unless the threat of a PED suspension becomes serious.

(Jeffrey Phelps/AP)

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2: Mike Trout - Los Angeles Angels

A few extra pounds just means there's more Trout to love in his sophomore season, if that's even possible. If he picks up where he left off in 2012, Trout could easily be this year's fantasy MVP.

(Mark J. Terrill/AP)

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3: Miguel Cabrera - Detroit Tigers

After winning the American League Triple Crown in 2012, there's no doubt that Cabrera is a safe, top-three fantasy pick again this season. The Tigers third baseman even has a case as the No. 1 pick considering he's eligible at a thin fantasy position.

(Carlos Osorio/AP)

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4: Matt Kemp - Los Angeles Dodgers

Injuries and inconsistency are the only things keeping Kemp from being fantasy's most valuable player. He's a true five-tool stud with as much upside as anyone in the game, especially in a star-studded Dodgers lineup.

(Charlie Riedel/AP)

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5: Albert Pujols - Los Angeles Angels

Prince Albert, 33, has slipped a bit the past couple of seasons, but he's far from done. There are few fantasy options more reliable than Pujols, and we expect the Angels' upgraded lineup to keep him producing elite stats.

Cano was one of just seven players last season to hit 30-plus homers with at least a .300 batting average, and the only second baseman of the group. What he lacks in steals against other top second baseman, he more than makes up for in power.

(Kathy Willens/AP)

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7: Andrew McCutchen - Pittsburgh Pirates

In 2012, McCutchen truly broke out as a five-category fantasy stud with career highs in homers, RBIs, runs and batting average while also chipping in 20 steals. The scary thing is that he's only 26, so we may not have seen the best of McCutchen yet.

(Gene J. Puskar/AP)

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8: Prince Fielder - Detroit Tigers

Fielder had "only" 30 homers with 108 RBIs last year, but he made up for the slight dip in power with a career-high .313 average. If the power rebounds in 2013, as expected, Fielder could become fantasy's top first baseman.

(Carlos Osorio/AP)

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9: Joey Votto - Cincinnati Reds

Ignore Votto's overall stats from 2012; he missed much of the season with a knee injury that sapped his power when he played through it. Now healthy after offseason surgery, Votto should resume being an elite fantasy hitter.

(Jeff Roberson/AP)

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10: Adrian Beltre - Texas Rangers

Last season's numbers -- a .321 average, 36 homers and 102 RBIs -- have become fairly routine for Beltre. He's still in a strong lineup and a great hitter's park, so don't hold Beltre's Seattle seasons against him.

Kershaw has finished in the top three among fantasy starters in each of the past two seasons. At just 25 with a career 2.79 ERA and 1.14 WHIP, we don't see Kershaw slowing down anytime soon.

(Mark J. Terrill/AP)

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12: Justin Verlander - Detroit Tigers

Verlander has been the most dominant starter in baseball the past two years. He could easily finish this season as the top fantasy pitcher, like he did in 2011 when he won the AL's Cy Young and MVP awards.

(Duane Burleson/AP)

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13: David Wright - New York Mets

Wright is one of the few five-category fantasy options at third base. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him lead the position in steals, while also finishing near the top in homers, runs, RBIs and average.

(David Zalubowski/AP)

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14: Josh Hamilton - Los Angeles Angels

Injuries seem like the only thing that can slow down Hamilton, even after moving out of hitter-friendly Rangers Ballpark. His home/road splits were almost identical last year, so don't worry about him playing in a new ballpark this season.

(Morry Gash/AP)

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15: Stephen Strasburg - Washington Nationals

Strasburg has the potential to finish 2013 as fantasy's top pitcher. Even if his innings are limited again, he should still challenge for the league lead in wins and strikeouts while posting sterling peripherals.

Gonzalez is the only player in the majors to produce three straight 20/20 seasons. Health is a concern, but CarGo is an elite, five-category producer playing in the perfect hitter's park.

(Jack Dempsey/AP)

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17: Hanley Ramirez - Los Angeles Dodgers

Ramirez has lost some luster the past two seasons, but he remains the best bet for five-category production among shortstops. His third-base eligibility is an added bonus. Plus, he's in arguably the best lineup of his career.

(Mark J. Terrill/AP)

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18: Ian Kinsler - Texas Rangers

Kinsler has shed the "injury-prone" label by missing just 12 games the past two years. As a result, he's becoming a great fantasy value as few second basemen can match his power/speed prowess.

(Jim Cowsert/AP)

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19: Troy Tulowitzki - Colorado Rockies

Tulo is an elite producer -- when healthy. He's missed 174 games the past three seasons, making him one of the biggest boom-or-bust picks in the draft. Somebody's got to take the risk, though.

(Joe Mahoney/AP)

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20: Giancarlo Stanton - Miami Marlins

Stanton hasn't turned 24 yet and he already has 93 career home runs. With that kind of raw power, Stanton is sure to be among the league leaders in homers and RBIs in 2013 even in a depleted Marlins lineup.

Heyward hit 27 homers last year and stole 21 bases as a 23-year-old. Can he be even better in 2013? Even if he just maintains his production, Heyward is still a top-25 hitter with top-10 upside.

(David Goldman/AP)

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22: Jose Bautista - Toronto Blue Jays

Bautista is drafted for one reason: power. In just 92 games last year, he slugged 27 homers. With more help atop the Blue Jays lineup this year, Bautista should be in for plenty of RBIs as well.

(Amy Sancetta/AP)

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23: Buster Posey - San Francisco Giants

A catcher who hits .336 with 24 homers and 103 RBIs? Yes, please! Be prepared to pay for Posey, though. The 2012 National League MVP might go as high as the first round in some drafts.

(David Kohl/AP)

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24: Dustin Pedroia - Boston Red Sox

He’s probably closer to a 15-homer hitter than a 20-homer bet, but Pedroia is still one of the most reliable second baseman at providing five-category fantasy help. Improved health for Pedroia -- and the rest of the Red Sox lineup -- should help him bounce back in 2013.

(Elaine Thompson/AP)

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25: Evan Longoria - Tampa Bay Rays

There was nothing wrong with Longoria’s production last year when he was healthy -- he hit 17 homers in just 74 games -- but that highlights the problem. Injuries are a major concern, but Longoria becomes worth the risk around pick No. 25.

(Chris O'Meara/AP)

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